There’s a moment, just before you reach The Royal Dublin Golf Club, when the city melts into soft focus.
The traffic thins, the buildings slowly fade away and the land turns from urban sprawl to sand dunes, salt marsh and wispy reeds. You drive out across the single-lane wooden Dollymount bridge to reach Royal Dublin. It sits on Bull Island — a windswept peninsula created by a 19th-century sea wall and claimed by nature ever since. But the bridge, which was first built in 1819 and is referenced by James Joyce in his novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, does far more than transport you the few hundred yards from mainland to island. It takes you somewhere else entirely: first you feel the wind, then hear the seabirds, then you bask in the stillness.
Golf, Wildlife, and Stillness in the Heart of Dublin
From the clubhouse at Royal Dublin, you can clearly see the towering industrial chimneys and cranes of Dublin Port in the distance. Vast ships glide silently eastwards out to sea and yet from here, all that feels a world away. Royal Dublin is a sanctuary in the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant capital cities. This pure links snakes out and back along an UNESCO nature reserve where golf and wildlife co-exist beautifully. Birdies and the occasional eagle, live alongside an incredible variety of wildlife, including seals, lizards, hares and, ahem, plenty of actual birdies too.
Honours, History and Hospitality
The pro shop, tucked just away from the main clubhouse, is understated and efficient. No gimmicks, no clutter. Just what you need, and nothing you don’t. If you’ve been here before, they’ll remember your name. If you haven’t, you’ll be welcomed just the same. The locker rooms creak reassuringly underfoot, all oak and brass, unchanged in the best possible way. They’ve been built for golfers — and built to last. The honours boards list Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Louis Ouizheizen, who won the Irish Amateur here as a 19-year-old, among the honorary members. So too Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll, whose father, I’m told, is in the bar upstairs. The Edge, from U2, is a member I’m told, as is the former Arsenal and Ireland footballer, Liam Brady.
The clubhouse is filled with original documents, photographs and drawings which tell the story of Royal Dublin. We walk up the stairs glancing at photographs of Severiano Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus here in 1980s, US President Bill Clinton playing here and, of course, the great Christy O’Connor Snr, head pro at Royal Dublin from 1959, a time during which he blazed a trail through world golf, playing in 10 Ryder Cups and winning 24 international tournaments with the kind of flair few have replicated since.
There’s time for a pre-round stiffener in the bar: the floor to ceiling windows provide a panoramic vantage point across this links, with the 1st tee to our right and the 18th green just to our left. From here, it’s clear that unlike Lahinch, Ballybunion or Royal County Down, Royal Dublin doesn’t dazzle you with visual drama. It doesn’t need to. The land here is low and subtle. It’s not a place for theatrics but a course which tests you quietly and trusts you’ll notice the way Harry Colt’s design nudges you toward trouble without ever raising its voice. On the course, the rhythm is familiar — out for nine, then home – a traditional routing, shaped by the natural topography of Bull Island, and framed by fescue, marshland and the tides beyond.
Playing Royal Dublin Golf Club
The opening holes nudge rather than shout. The fairways are generous at first glance, but so much depends on angle, precision, and wind. Royal Dublin doesn’t demand heroics — it asks for control. On most days, the prevailing south-westerly wind is behind you on the front nine, giving you a much-needed push toward the far end of the island. And then, with your confidence up, you turn to face it. But not today.
On this rare afternoon, the wind is into us from the 1st tee, subtle at first, then building with every hole. We fight for position, for distance, for rhythm. Royal Dublin is asking questions early — and refusing to let up. Three testing par-3s, four demanding par-4s and two strategic par-5s make for a varied outward nine, with the 5th and the 8th holes standing out, as excellent par-4s.
Wind, Wisdom, and a Back Nine to Remember
We reach the 10th tee and pause to catch our breath before we turn for home. A man in a passing car slows, leans out of his window, and offers a grin. “Don’t worry lads – it’s dead easy from here on in,“ he says with a wink. For once, with the wind now at our backs, it was. Well, easier if not easy. The back nine played as if the island had been tilted in our favour. Drives flew. Irons bit. Putts began to fall. The course opened up and let us in, just a little — and we did our best to make the most of it. The closing stretch at Royal Dublin normally bares its teeth but today, the reachable par-4 16th is just that. The 422-yard par-4 17th, is a drive and a wedge and the 18th, one of the most celebrated finishing holes in Irish golf, is relatively defenceless. Well, as much as a 463-yard par-4, dog-leg right with out-of-bounds down the right and a lateral water hazard to carry, ever can be. But it was here, on this wonderful closing hole, with the chimneys beyond the clubhouse and the sea beginning to shift with the tide, that I stepped up: the perfect tee shot, a pure 9-iron, a confident putt: a birdie to finish and a moment to cherish. A quiet fist pump. A smile shared with playing partners and friends. Truly a moment and a round to remember.
Lasting Pull of Royal Dublin Golf Club
I fell for Royal Dublin more than I thought I would. It’s a place for shot-makers, classic Irish links golf at its most authentic. It asks questions without apology and rewards only those who listen carefully for the answers. You don’t play it to tick a box. You play it to understand what the game once was — and still can be. The bunkering is sharp, the routing timeless and the turf honest. And the wind is your constant companion — an ever-shifting presence that can make a mockery of yardages and force the kind of creativity you can’t fudge. The green complexes are wonderful too and while the slopes will funnel your ball away, at times, Royal Dublin does give you the chance to recover and bounce back when things go wrong.
The golf course is, unquestionably, the star of the show here, but the clubhouse plays a magnificent supporting role. We venture upstairs to toast our good fortune at being here at all. The bar at Royal Dublin isn’t grand or stuffy, it’s gloriously relaxed — one of those rare spaces where time slows and through the floor-to-ceiling windows you can retrace the shape of your round just gone — from 1st tee to 18th green. Find a table by the window, or better still, step out onto the terrace. Order a pint of Guinness, ask about the fish of the day — it’s almost always a great choice – and then just sit. Breathe. Let it all settle. There’s a warmth in this room which tells you a lot about Royal Dublin Golf Club. It’s in the laughter, the friendly smiles, in the way people linger and in the shared understanding that this is one of those rare places that gets everything just about right. We pass the hours sharing stories and watching groups battle their way down the 18th as the tide slides out, and giant ships begin their slow journey to sea.
We could’ve stayed all night. But as we crossed back over the bridge, to the real world, our day at Royal Dublin already felt like a cherished memory. But not the fleeting kind — the lasting kind. The Royal Dublin Golf Club will stay with you that way. Not because it demands attention but because it knows what it is and has nothing to prove. When everything else falls away — the noise, the hurry, the hype — what Royal Dublin offers is pure escape on a stretch of classic links land shaped by wind and wisdom. And though the city sits minutes away, out there on Bull Island, it all feels like a world apart. And perhaps that’s why it lingers. In an age of noise and novelty, Royal Dublin Golf Club offers something rare — quiet permanence. It is you, the land, the wind, and the game — as it was meant to be. I came to see a golf course I’d heard so much about but left with something else: the reassuring feeling that, just for a while, there was no place I’d rather have been. Thank you, Royal Dublin Golf Club.
*For more information or to book a round at Royal Dublin Golf Club, visit TheRoyalDublinGolfClub.com
Royal Dublin Golf Club: Key Facts
- 📍 Location: North Bull Island Nature Reserve , Dollymount, Dublin 3 , Ireland
- 📅 Founded: 1885
- 🛠️ Architect: Harry Colt (redesign, 1920s), Martin Hawtree (2006)
- ⛳ Course Type: Classic Links
- 🔢 Par: 72
- 📏 Length: 7,269 yards (championship tees)
- 🔁 Routing: Classic out-and-back, 18 holes
- 🌿 Setting: UNESCO-designated nature reserve on Bull Island
- 🎟️ Visitors Welcome: Very much welcome (advance booking recommended)
- 🌐 Website: TheRoyalDublinGolfClub.com
- 📞 Telephone: +353 1 833 6346 Email: Info@TheRoyalDublinGolfClub.com
Royal Dublin Golf Club scorecard
Royal Dublin Golf Club: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What are the Royal Dublin Golf Club membership fees?
Membership at Royal Dublin Golf Club is by application and subject to approval. While specific membership fees aren’t publicly listed, Royal Dublin is one of Ireland’s most historic and prestigious clubs, so fees typically reflect that status. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on membership options and fees, it’s best to contact the club directly through their official website.
What are the Royal Dublin Golf Club green fees?
Green fees at Royal Dublin Golf Club vary depending on the season. As a guide, visitor green fees typically range from €150–€200 during peak months. Twilight rates and shoulder-season discounts may also be available. Visitors are welcome, but it’s always recommended to book in advance, especially during the busy summer months.
Are there any hotels near Royal Dublin Golf Club?
Yes, there are several excellent hotels near Royal Dublin Golf Club. The Gibson Hotel, Clontarf Castle Hotel, and The Marker Hotel offer comfortable stays within easy reach of Bull Island. For those who prefer something boutique or closer to the coast, the Sandymount Hotel and Grand Hotel Malahide are also popular choices.
Does Royal Dublin Golf Club have a pro shop?
Yes, the Royal Dublin Golf Club pro shop is located just off the main entrance and is run with the same understated efficiency as the rest of the club. It’s compact but well stocked, offering premium apparel, essential equipment, and a warm welcome whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular face.
Can visitors play at Royal Dublin Golf Club?
Yes, visitors are very welcome at Royal Dublin Golf Club. Tee times are available throughout the week, with some restrictions during peak member play. It’s recommended to book in advance, particularly in spring and summer. A valid handicap certificate may be required.
What is the dress code at Royal Dublin Golf Club?
Royal Dublin Golf Club maintains a traditional but reasonable dress code. Golf attire should be neat and tidy, with collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers on the course. In the clubhouse, smart casual is expected. Golf shoes are not permitted in some areas but you can access the upstairs bar area by using the outside stair case.
Is Royal Dublin Golf Club walkable?
Yes — Royal Dublin is a flat, walkable course and is typically played on foot, as it was designed to be. Trolleys and caddies are available to hire, and buggies may be permitted with medical exemption, but most golfers walk the course to fully appreciate its flow and rhythm.
What practice facilities are available at Royal Dublin Golf Club?
Royal Dublin Golf Club offers championship-standard practice facilities. Located just a few steps from the club’s traditional wood-panelled changing rooms, “The Garden”, as it is know, makes it easy to prepare for the round ahead. In the practice area, you’ll find a driving range, with practice balls available from a dispenser at the back of the clubhouse. Tokens can be picked up in the pro shop. There is also a chipping green and spacious, contoured short-game area with target flags and varied lies. One half of the green is raised, allowing players to rehearse an array of shots from fringe, fairway, and bunkers. There is also a practice putting green, maintained to the same high standard as the on-course greens, it’s the perfect place to get dialled in before your round.
Who designed Royal Dublin Golf Club?
The course was originally laid out in 1885 but underwent significant redesign by legendary architect Harry Colt in the 1920s. Colt’s influence is still felt today in the subtle shaping, clever bunkering, and strategic routing that defines Royal Dublin Golf Club. In 2006, Martin Hawtree completed a series of sensitive updates to Royal Dublin Golf Club, modernising the course to meet the demands of today’s game while honouring the legacy and intent of Harry Colt’s original design.
What makes Royal Dublin Golf Club unique?
Royal Dublin is one of Ireland’s oldest golf clubs. Its classic out-and-back layout, windswept setting on Bull Island (a UNESCO biosphere), and understated charm make it a standout among Irish links — more subtle than dramatic, but no less memorable.
Why does Royal Dublin Golf Club appeal to American visitors so much?
Royal Dublin Golf Club is a favourite starting point for many American golfers beginning a grand tour of Ireland. Its proximity to Dublin Airport makes it ideal for day-one play, but convenience is only part of the appeal. For those used to manicured parkland or resort-style courses, Royal Dublin offers something different — and deeply authentic. This is links golf in its purest form: firm turf, ever-changing wind, strategic demands, and a setting that feels at once timeless and elemental. You don’t need a drone to appreciate it — you need imagination, precision, and feel. There’s also the history. American golfers are often drawn to places that have hosted legends — and with names like Ballesteros, Nicklaus, O’Connor, and even US President Bill Clinton etched into Royal Dublin’s story, the sense of occasion is unmistakable. Add in a warm Irish welcome, an exceptional clubhouse, and a pint of Guinness with a view, and it’s no wonder so many visitors return — or never want to leave.
Royal Dublin Golf Club logo
Royal Dublin Golf Club Course Map
